Marijuana a Step Closer to Being Decriminalized in Texas?

The Texas Observer reports that the Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee approved House Bill 81 Monday, which would have police ticket someone caught with an ounce or less of marijuana rather than charging them with a Class B Misdemeanor that would have them spend 6 months in jail.

This is great! Said all Texas potheads lol....

However, according to the Observer, if you're caught 3 times for possessing marijuana, then we got a problem, Houston. Under HB 81, judges would have the option to elevate the civil offense to a Class C Misdemeanor. That's the clause in the bill that got the Republican vote.